Hart Mountain Lek Monitoring

March 15 @ 2:00 pm - March 18 @ 12:00 pm

Event Navigation

Sage-grouse serve as indicator species for the overall health of sagebrush habitat across the West.

On this stewardship trip, volunteers will monitor traditional sage-grouse breeding grounds, which are called leks on the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge.

Volunteers will be using spotting scopes (provided) to count the number of individual male and female sage-grouse and flagging portions of the Refuge’s eastern boundary fence with wildlife flags. No previous experience is required; ONDA will provide all necessary training in order to conduct the lek counts and the flagging work.

Trip highlights include incredible wildlife viewing, the opportunity to soak in hot springs and to stay in a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service bunkhouse.

Challenges include waking up at 4 a.m. and hiking through uneven terrain in the dark, and working in weather that could range from shadeless heat to windy cold and, potentially, snow.